Creasing device for trousers



Nov.' 20 1923.,

1,474,993 J. R. BALL ET AL CREASING DEVICE FOR TROUSERS Filed March 18 1922 2 Sheets-,Sheet l' Wi/5am@ al Nov. 20, 1923.l

Filed uarehl-ajl E 2 sheets-sheet 2 afrik/rv las,

Patented Nov. 20, i923.

pausas ai 'F 'E Q E n p JAMES n. BALL AND WILLIAM rr. yBALL-.or orrIoAeo, ILLINOIS; SAID WILLIAM H.

BALL Assrsnon ro 'SAID Janus n. BALL.

CREASNG DEVICE FOR-TROUSERS.

Application led. March 18, T322.y Serial No. 544,917.

i `county'o'fCooln and State of Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful lmprova `ments in Creasing lDevices for Trousers, of

lwhich the `following is a specification.

This invention relates to creasing devices for trousers, and has for its objectJ the provi-sion of a deviceadapted to be disposed ina leg of apair of trousers and expanded to stretch the trouser leg thereover to kcrease same. l

Another object of the invention is. to provide such a device with several independently movable, and independently adjustable frames, such arrangement being for'the purpose of permitting conformation of said frames to variously shaped trouser legs, in

l order toinsure that stretching of the trouser leg will be uniform at all points along saine,

no matter what the shape of the trouser leg. `Still lanother object of the invention is to provide means whereby the upper portion of.

the trouser leg maybe stretched and then the llower portion of such trouser leg pulled longitudinally along the device so as to stretch the baggy portion ordinarily present in unpressed trousers, and then. subsequently securing said stretched portion on the -device by an independent adjustment thereof, thus,

securing the trouser leg in stretched position, at they same time creasing same. n Y' Still another objectfoli the inventionv is to provide means whereby the `device may be longitudinally collapsed and laterally folded into small size, said means also being operative to 'permit lateral folding ofthe device while same is inoperative position witha trouser leg stretched thereover, thus permitting the device vtoploe inserted into a Vtrouser leg and then folded laterallyso las to occupyY but approximately; half its original size, the device in such position of course being of a size which maybe placed in a suit case or othersirnilar receptacle. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

Theinvention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter de;y scribed and claimed.

. The invention will be best understood by referencer to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and 1n which,

F'g. l is an elevation of the invention showing same in completely-folded position;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the invention in partially unfolded position;

Fig. 3 is a View of the invention in operative position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the -line 4 4 of Fig; Y

Fig. `5 is a detail view of aslidable bracket usedsin connection with the invention; 35

The invention'comprises a main frame and an auxiliary frame hingedly connected together, said frames being adapted to be inserted'into a trouser leg `and independentlyV adjusted in operative position. The' main frame consists of oppositely disposed bars 10 and ll ofany suitable material, such as sheet metal. Each of'thefbars 10 and 1l consists of a piece of material folded onto itself as shown at 12, and having its edges i3 again folded inwardly as clearly shown in Fig.` 4 of theidrawings. The vfolds 12 thusprovided form sharpV edges for the bars which are particularly eflioacious in imparting a crease tothe trouser leg. The material frame from whichthe bars l0 Aandy .1l are formed is preferably galvanized{iron,-; orV

otherV suitable anon-corrosive sheet metal,

such metal beingemployed for they reason that same may be moistened when they device is used so as to aid in imparting a crease to the trouser leg.

rEhe lower ends of the bars 10 and 11 are movably connected together by means of a pair of links 14, said links preferably having their outer ends pivotally mounted between the edges 13 of the bars 10 and 11 by suitable pins lor rivets 15, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The inner ends of such links are pref-Y erably. pivotally connected by any Vsuitable mea-ns to the end of an operating rod 16,

f which rod is slidably mounted at its upper end in a bracket 17. The bracket 17 v may be a casting of the type shown in Fig. having an opening 18 therein adapted to slidably engage the operating rod 16. Such bracket is also preferably provided with i forked ends 19 adapted to have npivotally mounted therein the inner ends of links 20,

the outer ends of such links being pivotally` held between the edges 13 of the bars 10 and 11 'by pins or rivets 21, in the same manner as the ends of the links 14. A set screw 22 vis tapped'into the casting 17 as shown in Fig. 5 forthe purpose of adjustably regu- V rivets' 27; The inner end of the link 25 is pivotally connected to ay guide member 28 slidably mounted on the rod 16. The link 26 has its inner end slidably mounted in Va slot 29`provided in the guide member' this arrangement it will be seen that-the lower `end ofthe bar 11 may approach the `rod 16 morev closely than the lower end of the bar 10, this construction being forthe purpose of permitting adaptation of the device to theupper leg and seat of trouser legs of various sizes. The

Vlower endv of the bar 11 is ypreferably i Vbevelled as shown at 29', this being for the nir ose of erinitting an ular movement with respect to the auxiliary frame of the device as will be hereinafter explained.

The auxiliary frame of the device consists of oppositely disposed bars 30 and 31 similar in all respects 'to the bars 10 and 11,

i except for the bevelled end of the bar .11.

The inner end of the bar 30 is connected by. a hinge 32 with the bar 10. The hinges 32 may be of any suitable construction but we preferably employ a hinge which has one end 'rigidly secured Vbetween the edges 13 ofthe bar at theend thereof by means'of rivets 33, the opposite end of said hinge being f pivotally secured 'between the edges ofy the endof the bar by a rivet 34. This construction provides for inward swinging of the member 30 in the plane of the traine. Outward swinging of the member 30 beyond a straight line formed with the bar 10 is prevented because the pivot 311 of the hinge 32 is adjacent the Vinner edge of the bar 30 and the cuter adjacent edges of the bars 10 and 30fabut against each other.

The adjacent ends of the bars 11 and 31 are connected together in precisely the vsame y manner as the bars 10 and 30, and similar reference characters are used to designate the parts of both connections. 1n this connection it will be seen that the bevelled edge 29 of the bar 11 while forming a joint in the same manner as the adjacent outer edges yof the bars 10 and 11, permits a greater `latitude of movement, to permit conformationof the bar 11 to the upper leg and seat of the trousers Vwithout disturbin the alinement of the bar 31. It will be noted fromthe' above description of the hinge con- "nectionbetween the bars 10 and 11 and 30 and 31 thatA the latter bars are' movable inwardly Vin the plane of the frame, and laterally foldable upon the bars 10 and 11.

The bars 30 and 31 are adjustably connected together at their lower ends by means of a pair of links 35 having their outer ends pivotally secured between the edges of the bars 30 and V31, they inner ends of saidy linksv being connected by a suitable set screw 36, adjustment of said links determining the space between .the bars 30 and 31.

In operation the device is inserted into the Y upper end of the trouser leg a suitable distance and expanded, and by reason of the arrangement of the links 14,' 20, 25, and 26, the bar 11 is free to adjust itself to the upper leg and seat of the trousers. When the members have been expanded the desiredy distance the set screw 22 is screwed home` retaining such members in adj usted position.

The bars 30 and 31 are still free to ymove llU in the plane of the frame, so that the lower leg of the trousers may be pulled down to stretch the baggy portion thereof, and then the bars 30 and 31 expanded by means of the links 35, such links then being set in position by tightening the set screw 36 After leaving the frame in position in the trouser leg a suitable" time, same can be removed vandapplied to the other trouser leg as described, and when there is no furthery usefor the device, saine may bey folded intoy small size as shown in Fig. 1.

In Fig. `9 is shown an attachment which is adapted for use when the form of a trouser leg is bell shaped. This consists of a folded wedge-shaped piece of material 410 similar to. that' from which the frames are made.

Vadapted to be disposed over the lower end of the bar 41, the wider end of such wedged portion being provided with apertures L1-2, in

y its opposite end pivotally connected to said selectively inserted'and adaptedtoride kon the edge of the bar 41. The wedge-shaped vportions() is fadapt'ed'to be sl-idzalong the bar fil tostretch the form of the-trouser leg as shown in Fig. 9.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred Ylorm otconstruction for carrying our invention into eliect, this is capable of variation and-*modification without departing from thespirit ofthe invention.

We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to.

the precise details of the construction set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such variations and modifications as come within the scope o'l' the appended claims.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 'Patent is:

l. A trouser creasing device of the character described comprising a main frame having side bars operatively connected together; means for expanding said side bars to relatively spaced positions; means for rigidly holding said bars against angular displacement with respect to each other; an auxiliary frame having side bars movably connected to the side bars of said main frame; and means for adjusting the angular relation of the side bars of said auxiliary frame independently of the angular adjustment of the side bars of said main frame.

2. A trouser creasing device of the character described comprising a main frame having side bars operatively connected together; means for expanding said bars to relatively spaced positions; means to permit angular variation between the positions of said bars; means for rigidly holding said bars against angular displacement; an auxiliary frame having side bars movablj7 connected to the side bars of said main frame; and means for adjusting the angular relation between the side bars of said auxiliary 'frame independently of the angular adjustments of the side barsof said main frame.

8. In a trouser creasing device comprising a frame having side bars; oppositely disposed sets of links pivotally-connected to said side bars; an operating rod having its inner end pivotally connected to the inner ends ot one set ot links and slidably engaging the opposite set ol' links; a guide member slidably mounted on said operating rod and having a slot therein; a link pivotally connected to one of said bars and having guide member; and a link having its outer end pivotally connected to the other of said bars and having its inner end slidably and pivotally mounted in said slot.

4. In a trouser creasing device y having side bars; oppositely disposed sets of links pivotally connected to said side bars, an operating rod pivotally connected to the innerendsf of kone set of links 'and slidablyengaging tlie'oppo'site sets of'links, outward movement of said operating'rod being adapted to separate said bars dan auxiliary `frame operatively connected to said irst vnained trame; and means for independently V'adjustingsaid second named -frame.

ln a trouser creasingdevice compris- Ainga frame having side bars; oppositely disposed'sets of links'pivotally connected to said side bars; an loperating'lrod having its inner end pivotally connected to the inner ends of one set of links and Vslidably engaging the opposite set of links; a guide member slidably mounted on said operating rod and having a slot therein; a link pivotally connected to one of said bars and having its opposite end pivotally connected to said guide member; a link having its outer end pivotally comiected to the other of said bars and having its inner end slidably and pivotally mounted in said slot; an auxiliary frame operatively connected to said first named frame; and means for independently adjusting said second named frame.

6. In a trouser creasing device comprising a frame having side bars; oppositely dis-,

opposite setof links; a guide member slidably mounted oii said operating rod and having a slot therein; a link pivotally connected to one of said bars and having its opposite end pivotally connected to said guide member; a link having its outer end pivotally connected to the other of said bars and having its inner end slidably and pivotally mounted in said slot; an auxiliary ,trame operatively connected to said first named frame;`means for independently adjusting said second named frame; a wedged shaped portion slidably mounted on the lower end of one of said bars; and means for adjusting the depth of said wedged portion.

7. ln a trouser creasing device having side bars, oppositely disposed sets of links pivotally connected to said side bars; an operating rod pivotally connected to the ends of one set of links and slidably engaging the opposite sets of links; means for preventing longitudinal movement of said bars with respect to each other; means for permittingvariation in the angular positions of said bars; an auxiliary frame connected to said bars; and means for independently adjusting said auxiliary frame.

8. A trouser creasing device of the character described comprising Va main frame having side bars operatively connected together; means for expanding said bars to relatively spaced positions; means for rigidly holding said bars against angular displacement; an auxiliary frame having side bars; hinge members pivotally connecting the ends of the main frame, and the ends of said auXilliary frame, each of vsaid hinge members having one side rigid-1y connected l vnames to this specification 1n the presence .to one of said ends, and the other side pivotally connected to another of said ends,

whereby the bars of said main and auxiliary frames are pivotally mounted to swing in the plane of the frame, and being laterally foldable; and means for adjusting the anguiar relation of the side bars of said auxiladjustment of thevsideV bars of said main frame,k

Invtestimony whereof We have signed our 15 of two subscribing Witnesses.

' JAMES R. BALL.

WILLIAM H. BALL. kWitnesses 'FREDA C. APPLETON, J osHUA R. H. Poms. 

